Quick answer
St. Louis costs $220/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,800/mo). But Fort Worth's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,960/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Fort Worth vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Fort Worth | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,620 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $340K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,800 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 34/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 25/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,280 in Fort Worth — a $180/month difference, or $2,160/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Fort Worth charges None state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $3,960/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $340K in Fort Worth. At a 20% down payment, that's a $25,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Fort Worth utilities run $30 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Fort Worth, TX
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Fort Worth. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Fort Worth
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Fort Worth top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Fort Worth if…
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a Texas culture enthusiasts
- →You want zero state income tax
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $1,800 in Fort Worth — a $220/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Fort Worth or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Fort Worth vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Fort Worth has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,960/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Fort Worth or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $340K in Fort Worth — a $125,000 difference on the median home.